The 23/24 season was particularly busy from the organisational, playing and development standpoints. The Association board and workforce were tasked with the organisation of the male and female football competition within the 2023 Island Games which involved the implementation of a 60-match programme involving sixteen men’s and ten women’s teams playing over 6 days, together with the co-ordination and management of the 80+ strong volunteer workforce that had been assembled to ensure the smooth running of the programme at the various match venues. Whilst the Guernsey teams may not have achieved medals, the matches involving our teams were attended by over 12,000 during the week, and the Games in general were a great success for the island.

The strategy produced by the Guernsey FA for the 2021-24 period identified key strategic objectives across various areas of the game. As this strategy – Guernsey Football, Stronger Together – progresses into the new 2024-28 strategy, it is an opportune time to reflect on the many successes and challenges faced during the last three seasons. 

The start of the strategy, on 1st July 2021, coincided with the day on which Guernsey finally relaxed its borders and life returned to a semblance of normality after the COVID pandemic impacted life around the world. The strategy title – Guernsey Football, Stronger Together – was symbolic in adopting the mantra used by the island during the pandemic, and reflected a commitment from the Guernsey FA to work with all stakeholders across the game to deliver a vision to ensure football in the Bailiwick was a unified, welcoming and accessible game for all.

Whilst the strategy coincided with the relaxation of border controls, COVID-related challenges persisted, and particularly for the game’s young participants. Through commitment, collaboration and communication, the game in the island returned to normal during the 2021/22 season and the Guernsey FA was able to begin prioritising work to deliver against the key strategic objectives across five focus areas of the game. Some of the successes achieved during this strategy period have included the significant increase in female participation, supporting all clubs with youth teams to achieve, and retain, England Football accreditation, an increase in the number of registered referees, and an increased number of coaches completing CPD. Additionally, the Guernsey FA has focussed significant time in ensuring the Association has the highest standard of governance and drives equality across the game so that it is accessible and safe for those that want to participate. In this regard, the Guernsey FA has achieved the Preliminary Level of the Equality Standard for Sport, along with once again meeting the Safeguarding 365 Standard, which illustrates that safeguarding is fully embedded across the game in Guernsey.

However, of the five focus areas, it was the work to enhance football facility provision which was identified as being the priority due to the clear need to ensure that the game in Guernsey had a positive future and with facilities that were fit for purpose. As we reach the end of the third and final year of the strategy it is pleasing to be able to look back on the great progress that has been made in this area, with all objectives having been met. These objectives all required funding support and, through effective project business plans, the Guernsey FA has secured over £10.2m of investment into facility-based projects from The FA, Football Foundation, and private investors. This investment, which has led to the Equipment Bank being established, floodlit provision retained, and realisation of the ambitious plans to build a new GFA HQ and 3G Stadia facility, promises to be transformational for the game in Guernsey.

Guernsey’s new ‘Home of Football’ will be the catalyst for so many exciting opportunities to develop and grow the game for players, coaches, referees and the hundreds of invaluable volunteers whose commitment is integral to the local game. As always, the Guernsey FA recognises and appreciates the time, commitment and energy of the volunteers who ensure that playing opportunities are supported throughout the season. However, we also recognise that the volunteer workforce needs support, and we will continue to develop plans to recruit the next generation of committed volunteers, including referees, coaches and administrators. 

The 2023/24 season, and overall 2021-24 strategy, has illustrated the value and importance of stakeholders working collaboratively and in partnership for the good of the game. This approach, which has ensured tangible success in meeting so many of the strategic objectives, will continue to be adopted by the Guernsey FA as we move forward into the next strategy cycle – one which promises to be the start of an exciting new era for football in Guernsey. It is not an exaggeration when stating that the new ‘Home of Guernsey Football’ at Victoria Park will be transformational for the game. All of the staff, and Board of Directors, understand the importance of this new facility, one which we truly hope will be used by all the football and wider local community. 

It is through the dedication and commitment of all involved with the association that we can look forward to that exciting new era, and we would like to note my appreciation and gratitude for all of those who have worked and volunteered for the Guernsey FA over the course of this past season and 2021-24 strategy period. The collective and tireless efforts of those individuals is the cornerstone of all that we have achieved during this period – a unified, welcoming and accessible game for All, with an exciting future.

GFA 2023-24 Season review